Snap-lock support element



Jim, K, 1955 J. K. WAKEFHELD ET AL. fi flw SNAP-LOCK SUPPORT ELEMENT Filed. D60. 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John K. Wakefield 20 Arthur 0/. eise/man I INVENTORS.

1 BY 20 lfih United States Patent SNAP-LOCK SUPPORT ELEMENT John K. Wakefield, Fort Branch, and Arthur J. Geiselman, Elberfeld, Ind.

Application December 13, 1955, Serial No. 552,887

4 Claims. (Cl. 287--1) This invention relates to generally to construction elements and is more particularly concerned with construction elements which may be detachably secured to other construction elements of a similar character forming a plurality of different structures.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a snap-lock structural element constructed from a resilient rod-like material, said structural element including a body portion terminating in right angularly related side portions, the body and side portions incorporating undulating connecting means at the intersection of the body and side portions whereby a plurality of different structures may be formed by overlapping transverse connection between the undulating connecting means of different structural elements.

A further object of the invention in conformance with that set forth above is to provide a snap-lock structural element which is engageable with connecting means of similar snap-lock structural elements whereby a plurality of different structures such as supportsfor window displays, tables, shelving, etc. may be formed and in which the snap-lock structural elements may be disassembled and reused.

Another object of the invention in conformance with that set forth above is to provide snap-lock structural elements of the character set forth which are readily and economically manufactured, easily used and assembled, and highly practical and efficient for the purposes intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a plurality of snap-lock structural elements assembled to form a substantially rectangular structure which may support a horizontal support member such as a table top shown in phantom lines;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the snap-lock structural elements of Figure 1 showing a reinforcing element secured between intermediate side portions thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one of the structural elements utilized in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view showing the manner in which the snap-lock structural elements may be connected together;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of snap-lock structural elements having a curved intermediate portion for forming a substantially cylindrical structure; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one of the snap-lock structural elements utilized in forming the structure of Figure 6.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the basic concept involved in the invention is that incorporating the principle that various forms of structural elements in- 2,819,103 Patented Jan. 7, 1958 corporating cooperating connecting means at end portions thereof permit a plurality of structures to be formed wherein said structures may be used for various purposes.

Considering Figure 4, a snap-lock structural element having a rectangular configuration is indicated generally at 10, said structural element incorporates body portions 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are disposed at substantially right angles to each other and which incorporate at their intersections similar connecting means indicated generally at 20. i

The structural element 10 is made of any suitable material, metal, or plastic, etc. and is of a rod-like construction, being shown as having a circular cross-section.

Connecting means 20 incorporates a plurality of undulating portions defined at the intersection of the side members 12, 14, 16 and 18, and permits the various structural elements to be disposed and connected to each other in transverse relationship as shown in Figures 1 and 3, whereby a substantially rigid structure is formed.

Connection means 20 includes first undulating or notched out portions 22 which extend laterally from the longitudinal axis of the side members 12 through 18, and which define a lower notch portion 24 which may overlap or underlie an undulating portion 26 incorporated on another snap-like lock structural element which is to be secured thereto. The last-mentioned undulating portions 26 terminate in a loop portion 28 which is disposed at the intersection of the side portions 14 and 16 and defines an open slot portion 30 which opens away from the intersecting pairs of side members.

It will be noted that the undulating portion 26 defines a notch 32 which opens in a direction opposite from the notch portion 24.

Thus as seen in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the undulating connection portions of each, of the snap-lock structural elements may engage un dulating connection portions of another structural element, being clampingly engaged in the notch portions 24, slot portion 30 or notch portion 32.

As seen in Figure l, the structural element indicated generally at 40 has the structural element indicated generally at 42 connected in the slot portions 30 and the structural element 42 has the notch portion 32 underlying the slot portion 30. The snap-lock structural element 44 is connected in the same manner to the structural element 40 and 46, and the structural element 46 is connected to the structural elements 42 and 44.

After the substantially rectangular structure is formed, a suitably conformed horizontal support surface element 48 may be supported by the rectangular structure whereby said structure may be used as a table, display support, etc.

As seen in Figure 2, an intermediate portion of the opposite sides 50 and 52 of a snap-lock structural element 54 are provided with intermediate notched out portions 56 and 58, respectively, and a reinforcing or brace element 60 having connecting means 20 on each of the opposite ends may be inserted in either overlying or underlying relationship with respect to the said notch portions 56 and 58 thus reinforcing the space between the side portions 50 and 52. The snap-lock structural element 54 incorporates at each of the corners connecting means 20 as previously described.

As seen in Figure 5, the structural element of the character disclosed in Figure 1 may have secured thereto in the manner previously described, longitudinally extending structural elements, one being shown at which provides either length or height to the structure being formed. For purposes of orientation the snap-lock structural elements of Figure 5 are identified with the same reference characters as those used in Figure 1.

As seen in Figures 6 and 7, the side portions of the snaplock structural elements may be arcuately conformed as indicated at 72 whereby the snap-lock structural elements 74 incorporating such arcuate side portions include connecting means 20 at the intersection of side portions 76 and '78 therewith thus providing a snap-lock structural element for forming a skeletonized' cylindrical structure indicated generally at 80.

It is to be noted that when the various notch portions, or slot portions are urged into transverse connecting relationship respective transverse movement is prevented by such undulations with respect to the longitudinal axis of either of the snap-lock structural elements and thus a sub stantially rigid structure is provided.

Various positional directional terms such as front, rear, etc. are utilized here and have only a relative connotation to aid in describing the device and are not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A snap-lock construction element for forming a plurality of structures comprising an elongated body portion terminating in intersecting side portions at substantially right angles to the body portion, the construction element being formed of a substantially resilient rod-like material, connecting means at the intersection of the body and one of said side portions, said connecting means comprising a first and a second undulation portion which respectively open outwardly and inwardly of the body and said one of said side portions for being clamping engageable with similar undulation portions on another construction element extending transversely relative to the first construction element, a third and fourth undulation portion which respectively open outward and inward of said body portion and said one side portion, and a loop portion between and connecting said second and third undulation portions.

2. A snap-lock construction element as set forth in claim 1, including reinforcing means removably engaged between oppositely disposed intermediate portions of the side portions.

3. In a build-up rack for displays and shelves made from a plurality of wire-like members, the combination of a. plurality of said members, each member having an elongated wire-like body portion with a side portion at right angles thereto, a construction element between said body portion and said side portion, said construction element having a first undulation portion which opens in one direction, a second undulation portion connected to said first undulation portion and opening in the opposite direction from said first undulation portion, a loop at the outer end of said second undulation portion and opening in the same direction as said first undulation portion, said loop being deeper than either of said undulation portions, a third undulation portion at the end of said loop and opening in one direction, a fourth undulation portion at the end of said third undulation portion and opening in the opposite direction, the inner and outer surfaces of said undulation portions constituting seats on which undulation portions or additional members are adapted to bear.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said members are completely separable from each other and wherein said undulations and said loop are approximately coplanar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 636,381 Hamel Nov. 7, 1899 1,006,328 Widenhofer Oct. 17, 1911 1,208,020 Ross Dec. 12, 1916 1,651,523 Hamlin Dec. 6, 1927 1,794,076 Jablons Feb. 24, 1931 

